Tajikistan 6-day tour from Tashkent

DAY 1 TASHKENT - KHUJAND - ISTARAVSHAN

DAY 2 ISTARAVSHAN - ISKANDERKUL - HISAR FORTRES - DUSHANBE

DAY 3 DUSHANBE - VORU VILLAGE

DAY 4 VORU VILLAGE - RUDAKI TOMB - ARTUCH CAMP - PANJAKENT

DAY 5 PANAJKENT - SEVEN LAKES

DAY 6 SEVEN LAKES - SAMARKAND BORDER

Description of the itinerary:

Day 1| Tashkent - Khujand - Istaravshan

The tour starts at Uzbek-Tajik border crossing Oybek, where driver will meet you to head to Khujand (70 km, 1 h).

Khujand has been a famous historical point since the times of Alexander the Great. The museums in Khujand are interesting and informative, and are excellent ways to immerse yourself in the history of the region. Khujand - one of the oldest towns not only of Tajikistan but also the entire Central Asia. Khujand city tour will consist of visiting bright and colorful oriental bazaar "Payshanba", the biggest one in Tajikistan, musuems, mosques, Hydro Power Station, etc. You will be charmed by their quiet streets, variety of delicious fruits and hospitality of local people.

Start Khudjand city tour with visiting the

• Museum of Archeology and Fortification

• Shaikh Muslihiddin Mosque

• Panjshanbe Bazaar, the biggest bazaar in Tajikistan

• Arbob Palace named after S. Urunkhujaev (20th century)

• “Tajik Sea” Kayrakum HPS (Hydro Power Station)-the symbol of People’s Friendship, built in 1968 and a lot of significant sights

After, drive to Istaravshan and have a short sightseeing tour upon arrival. Places that you will visit:

• Mug Tepa, one of the ancient settlements in Tajikistan

• Continue to Khazrati Shoh architectural complex that consists of Khazrati Shoh Mausoleum – the grave of brother of Kusam ibn Abbas;

• Khudayar Valami Mausoleum, and Mosque Namozgoh.

Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

Day 2| Istaravshan - Iskanderkul - Hissar Fortress - Dushanbe

After breakfast earlier in the morning we will start our way toward Iskanderkul. According to the legend, the Lake Iskanderkul was named after Alexander the Great, known as Iskander in the East. People say that Alexander the Great's path to India passed by this lake. Lunch at the traditional homestay "Dilovar". After, you will stroll around the lake, explore five springs and Zmeinoe (Snake) Lake, walk to 38 m high waterfall that local people compare to Niagara and call Fanskaya Niagara (Niagara of Fann mountains)

Then continue driving toward the capital of Tajikistan. Dushanbe: a perfectly pleasant city!

Places that you will visit in and around Dushanbe for today:

• Afternoon drive to Hissar Fortress. This large and impressive site is said to date back to the days of Cyrus the Great (around 600BC) and to have been captured 21 times by invading forces – making one question how effective a fortress it is!. Much of this area has been restored over the years and there is a lovely museum offering a nice introduction to the country and history- a great chance to learn about the country's history and catch up with local people who also visit the site. After Exploring Hissar fully return back to Dushanbe.

• National Museum: the museum has some interesting collections you will enjoy: some of the frescoes from Old Panjakent, and an entire top floor with unique artworks from Tajik artists.

• Rudaki Park: Dushanbe’s prettiest park is next to the National Museum. Its tree-lined ways contain everything from Palace of Nations (where the president works) to eccentricities like the second tallest flagpole in the world. Visit after a trip to the museum, but know the park really comes alive at night.

• Rohat Chaikhana: Massive teahouse on Rudaki Avenue. Beautifully decorated and a pleasant place to have an affordable nice lunch outside. You can sit in a columned open hall, or an elaborate wooden interior.

• Museum of Antiquities: I know, I know, museums. But wait: it contains the bones of the Princess of Sarazm (creepy, but cool), plus an impressive collection of ancient artifacts.

• Mehrgon Bazaar: Grand bazaar in the north of the city where you can buy everything from freshly diced carrots to stuffed dried dates.

• Ayni Opera & Ballet Theatre: Here you can see operas or ballets in a grand theater for unbeatable prices. Pop in to see if any shows are on!

• Botanical Garden: A short walk from Chatr Café, stroll in this sprawling garden where couples and families enjoy days out. However, if you’re not already at the cafe I don’t think it’s worth a trip—there are other parks in Dushanbe. Overnight in hotel.

Day 3| Dushanbe - Voru village

Having your breakfast and then driving toward the northern part of the country, to the heart of the Fann Mountains! Now it is all about history, nature and people that speak quite different language and live totally strange (Stone Age village )This village located on the altitude more than 3000m above sea level . It's name is VORU . Also the village is considered to be one of the most ancient villages not only in Tajikistan but also in Central Asia . But still the village is not excavated by scientists in depth. The main thing which amaze every visitors is the location of the houses . Voru differ from other village for his strange and various traditions and cultures. It seems like a grandiose multistorey in the heart of skyscraper mountains . It is one of that villages that here lives representative of Sogdian nationality, nation that were followers of Zoroaster(Prophet - called of Zoroastrian religion) . A village from Yagnob valley village ranges. Here just WOWW . Dinner in the guesthouse .Overnight in Guesthouse.

Day 4| Voru village - Rudaki Tomb - Artuch Camp - Panjakent

Breakfast and we will continue the trip toward Rudaki Mausoleum. Abuabdulloh Rudaki the father of tajik-persian poetry. He lived during rule of Samanids dynasty. His history dates back to 9th century. The best cultural monument that you will acquaint with, in Tajikistan. Continue to Artuch Camp

Now it is all about the beauties of Fann mountains! Mountain base Artuch which was founded in 1971 from the Soviet Union, in the Republic of Tajikistan. The Base is located at height 2200м in Fann Mountains region where is surrounded by mountains with snowy tops and lakes with secularly clear water. This corner of a planet is famous because of being one of the most improbable, beautiful places which annually attracts thousands of climbers and tourists.The highest peak in Fan mountains is Chimtarga with height of 5489м.

Afternoon drive to Panjakent city. Panjakent: an ancient welcome to Tajikistan!

Panjakent was once the capital of the Sogdian Empire, a Zoroastrian civilization well predating Islam in the region. There are several ancient sites in the area worth visiting on your way to the mountains.

Places to visit around Panjakent:

• Sarazm: A stone’s throw away from the border crossing are the UNESCO-listed ruins of Sarazm. More than 5,000 years old, they’re remains of the first agricultural society in Central Asia. A remarkably tall human skeleton, dubbed the “Princess of Sarazm”, was found here with some of her ornaments. Archaeologists also found artifacts indicating ancient trading routes stretching as far as modern day Iran and Pakistan.

• Panjakent Bazaar: This bazaar has a beautiful central building ringed by brick archways. It’s a good place to stock up on trekking snacks like nuts and dried fruits, or get your first taste of Tajik hospitality.

• Old Panjakent: The 1,500+ year old ruins of ancient Panjakent are outside the city, accessible by taxi or hitchhiking. The hilltop site spans several kilometers; roam through it at your leisure. Here archaeologists found remarkably well-preserved frescoes. They’ve since been relocated to the Rudaki Museum in Panjakent, the National Museum in Dushanbe, and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. You can see copies in the small museum at the Old Panjakent entrance. Overnight in hotel.

Day 5| Panjakent- Seven Lakes( Haftkul)

Haft Kul: 7 teary lakes

Seven small lakes make up the Haft Kul, “ lakes”, in northwest Tajikistan. Legend says they’re the tears of the daughters of a missing man. Science says they were created after earthquakes altered the Shing River’s course.Whichever version you prefer, the Haft Kul road is one of Tajikistan’s most accessible treks; the perfect introduction to Tajikistan’s natural beauty.

To the lakes! Getting to the Haft Kul can be as easy or as strenuous as you like—you decide how far to walk. Aside from the azure lakes, there are plenty of villages to wander through, with many kind locals happy invite travelers for tea.

The final lake of Haft Kul: Hazor Chashma, thousand springs.The slope is gentle, the altitude low (the the lake is around 2,400 m/7870 ft). Overnight in Homestay.

Day 6| Seven lakes - Samarkand border

After having breakfast driving to Samarkand border for departure. End of the tour.

THE PRICE INCLUDES:

-All transfers, driver and transport;

All accommodation;

-All meals (B.L.D.)

-All entrance and sightseeing fees;

-1L bottled water per day for each

-Guide/interpreter service;

-VAT Tax and Profit of organization;

-Eco Tax;

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

-Visa, international flight;

-Photo and video charges;

-All personal expenses (extra luggage fee, room service, medical expenses/insurance, etc.)

-Tips to the stuff;

-Single accommodation

-Alcoholic beverages